Down Training Non-Optimal Movement Patterns to Make Exercise More Effective

Tough to Treat

In this episode, Erica and Susan discuss how to identify someone's non-optimal movement pattern, aka the "dominant pattern" or "the impairment", and use it to your advantage when positioning and prescribing exercise.

Think of it this way: If someone has a strong movement pattern, whether it is compensatory or not, they need choices to move in and out of it.

More often than not, exercises that are being prescribed reinforce this maladaptive pattern.

They discuss ways to position people who have thoracolumbar solid gripping strategies in order to uncover a source of weakness or inhibition elsewhere.

Additionally, positions for hip flexor dominance are also discussed.

As always, these are real examples from their patient caseload.

A glance at this episode:

• [3:16] Identifying the patient’s impairment by changing up the movement pattern

• [7:43] Integrating and changing the exercise tool

• [9:59] How we can position people to turn off their non-optimal strategy

• [12:10] Positioning via various modes of exercise

• [14:50] Translating exercises to home training

• [20:46] Exercises to increase mobility in their new pattern

• [23:40] How to position patients with overactive hip flexors

• [26:00] Side bending to the opposite side-how to use it to your advantage

Related links:

• Tough To Treat Website

• Erica’s Course: Decoding the Complex Patient

• Susan’s Pelvic Health Education Subscription

• Access the Transcript